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Nov 21, 2010, 7:18 pm
#241
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Some British wank... er columnist fulminating about "rightwing idealogy.." Read the comments too. Some are priceless. 
The naked truth: TSA can touch my junk anytime
The pathetic whining over TSA airport security is a naked attempt to smuggle on board an unsafe rightwing ideology
The pathetic mewing set off by the "Don't touch my junk" airport screening incident tells you pretty much everything you you want to know about the teenage grudge-bearing and solipsistic whining of modern society.
This is the revenge of the How-Dare-You generation. How dare you tell me what to do! How dare you look at me! How dare you touch my junk! Sexual assault! I hate you mommy!
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisf...rport-searches
Air travel: One step behind terrorists
NOT EVERYONE has reacted the same way to the Transportation Security Administration’s aggressively intimate new frisking technique. Air traveler John Tyner created a minor sensation when he recorded himself warning a TSA screener in San Diego: “If you touch my junk, I’m gonna have you arrested.’’ Journalist Emmett Tyrrell, on the other hand, says he would “welcome a soothing pat-down. . . especially if the patter-downer is a cute little number on the order of, say, Sarah Palin.’’ It takes all types to fill a passenger plane.
But what are we to make of TSA Administrator John Pistole, who told a congressional committee last week that he has no intention of relaxing his agency’s intrusive new screenings? These include both the hands-on body search (which at least one pilot has compared to “sexual molestation’’), and — for those who would rather be ogled electronically — full-body X-ray scanners that leave nothing to the imagination.
http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/ed...nd_terrorists/
The naked truth: TSA can touch my junk anytime
The pathetic whining over TSA airport security is a naked attempt to smuggle on board an unsafe rightwing ideology
The pathetic mewing set off by the "Don't touch my junk" airport screening incident tells you pretty much everything you you want to know about the teenage grudge-bearing and solipsistic whining of modern society.
This is the revenge of the How-Dare-You generation. How dare you tell me what to do! How dare you look at me! How dare you touch my junk! Sexual assault! I hate you mommy!
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisf...rport-searches
Air travel: One step behind terrorists
NOT EVERYONE has reacted the same way to the Transportation Security Administration’s aggressively intimate new frisking technique. Air traveler John Tyner created a minor sensation when he recorded himself warning a TSA screener in San Diego: “If you touch my junk, I’m gonna have you arrested.’’ Journalist Emmett Tyrrell, on the other hand, says he would “welcome a soothing pat-down. . . especially if the patter-downer is a cute little number on the order of, say, Sarah Palin.’’ It takes all types to fill a passenger plane.
But what are we to make of TSA Administrator John Pistole, who told a congressional committee last week that he has no intention of relaxing his agency’s intrusive new screenings? These include both the hands-on body search (which at least one pilot has compared to “sexual molestation’’), and — for those who would rather be ogled electronically — full-body X-ray scanners that leave nothing to the imagination.
http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/ed...nd_terrorists/
Last edited by Kiwi Flyer; Nov 25, 2010 at 9:09 pm Reason: merge consecutive posts
Nov 21, 2010, 7:36 pm
#243
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Obama chooses scanner
http://www.cisionwire.com/supercool-...t-scanner58803
Good for a laugh
President Obama is given the choice of going through the controversial Transportation Security Administration (TSA) full body scanner or undergoing an equally controversial enhanced pat down by a TSA official. Opting against a Presidential pawing, the Commander in Chief chooses to try out the TSA scanner also referred to as an Advanced Imaging Technology scanner. Original YouTube Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EdQzNMLECi8
Nov 21, 2010, 7:36 pm
#244
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Public Acceptance of New TSA Procedures Has Been Exaggerated
As usual, the mainstream media asks all the wrong questions.
The public seems greatly confused by the new airport screening procedures and with good reason. However, a CBS survey was recently taken of 1,137 randomly selected people with landline or cell phones and it was concluded that:
Americans overwhelmingly approve of the use of full-body digital x-ray machines — a new technology in use at some airports in the U.S. Most, meanwhile, do not approve of racial or ethnic profiling — a practice not in place.
The sample size and selection methodology seem reasonable. However, the following questions apparently were not asked: “Have you or an immediate family member flown on a commercial airliner in the United States since November 1, 2010?” and “Do you or an immediate member of your family intend to fly on a commercial airliner in the United States in the near future? If not, have your plans been changed on account of recent changes in airport security procedures?” A breakout of the data as provided by the Yes and No respondents to these questions would have made the survey far more informative.
http://pajamasmedia.com/blog/public-...n-exaggerated/
Administration to Seek Balance in Air Screening
Caught between complaints that airport screening has become too intrusive and threats of new terror attacks on aviation, Obama administration officials said on Sunday that they were sensitive to criticisms that security measures go too far, but insisted that the measures now in place are justified by the risks.
With the Thanksgiving travel crush imminent, the chief of the Transportation Security Administration, John S. Pistole, said in a statement that his agency would try to make screening methods “as minimally invasive as possible.” But he gave no indication that the agency would reverse its move to full-body scanners, now deployed in 70 of 450 airports in the United States, and physical pat-downs for passengers who object to the scans.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/22/us/22tsa.html?hp
As usual, the mainstream media asks all the wrong questions.
The public seems greatly confused by the new airport screening procedures and with good reason. However, a CBS survey was recently taken of 1,137 randomly selected people with landline or cell phones and it was concluded that:
Americans overwhelmingly approve of the use of full-body digital x-ray machines — a new technology in use at some airports in the U.S. Most, meanwhile, do not approve of racial or ethnic profiling — a practice not in place.
The sample size and selection methodology seem reasonable. However, the following questions apparently were not asked: “Have you or an immediate family member flown on a commercial airliner in the United States since November 1, 2010?” and “Do you or an immediate member of your family intend to fly on a commercial airliner in the United States in the near future? If not, have your plans been changed on account of recent changes in airport security procedures?” A breakout of the data as provided by the Yes and No respondents to these questions would have made the survey far more informative.
http://pajamasmedia.com/blog/public-...n-exaggerated/
Administration to Seek Balance in Air Screening
Caught between complaints that airport screening has become too intrusive and threats of new terror attacks on aviation, Obama administration officials said on Sunday that they were sensitive to criticisms that security measures go too far, but insisted that the measures now in place are justified by the risks.
With the Thanksgiving travel crush imminent, the chief of the Transportation Security Administration, John S. Pistole, said in a statement that his agency would try to make screening methods “as minimally invasive as possible.” But he gave no indication that the agency would reverse its move to full-body scanners, now deployed in 70 of 450 airports in the United States, and physical pat-downs for passengers who object to the scans.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/22/us/22tsa.html?hp
Last edited by Kiwi Flyer; Nov 25, 2010 at 9:08 pm Reason: merge consecutive posts
Nov 22, 2010, 6:44 am
#245
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Slate: The idiocy of airport-scanner "Opt-Out Day."
After last week's article about how the TSA has apparently never stopped an actual terrorist, Slate heads in the other direction with this article from one of their columnists containing a compilation of all the propaganda from the "if you don't let us do this, everyone will die" side.
This Junk Won't Fly
The idiocy of airport-scanner "Opt-Out Day."
By William Saletan
"Ignore these imbeciles. Their plan would clog security lines and ruin your holiday for no good reason. They don't understand the importance of the electronic scans. They're wrong about the scanners' safety. And from the standpoint of dignity, their advice is insane. If you opt out of the scan, you'll get a pat-down instead. You'll trade a fast, invisible, intangible, privacy-protected machine inspection for an unpleasant, extended grope. In effect, you'll be telling TSA to touch your junk."
This Junk Won't Fly
The idiocy of airport-scanner "Opt-Out Day."
By William Saletan
"Ignore these imbeciles. Their plan would clog security lines and ruin your holiday for no good reason. They don't understand the importance of the electronic scans. They're wrong about the scanners' safety. And from the standpoint of dignity, their advice is insane. If you opt out of the scan, you'll get a pat-down instead. You'll trade a fast, invisible, intangible, privacy-protected machine inspection for an unpleasant, extended grope. In effect, you'll be telling TSA to touch your junk."
Nov 22, 2010, 6:45 am
#246
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NYT political analysis: "The Caucus"
Pat-Downs Ensnare White House in New Distraction
Real life has a way of intruding on Barack Obama’s presidency.
After a ten-day trip through Asia and a quick, two-day summit in Europe, the White House was eager to shift the political focus back to looming fights with Republicans over the economy, tax cuts, spending and the deficit.
Instead, the administration found itself this weekend on the receiving end of squirm-inducing questions about invasive pat-downs of travelers by Transportation Security Agency officers – procedures that appeared to pop into existence almost overnight.
With Thanksgiving travel just days away, members of Congress were already calling for hearings. Sunday morning shows diverted from talk about nuclear treaty negotiations to inquire about probing in sensitive areas of another kind. Even Saturday Night Live jumped in to the act with a racy, wikedly [sic] funny spoof that cast TSA agents as phone-sex operators.
http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/
Real life has a way of intruding on Barack Obama’s presidency.
After a ten-day trip through Asia and a quick, two-day summit in Europe, the White House was eager to shift the political focus back to looming fights with Republicans over the economy, tax cuts, spending and the deficit.
Instead, the administration found itself this weekend on the receiving end of squirm-inducing questions about invasive pat-downs of travelers by Transportation Security Agency officers – procedures that appeared to pop into existence almost overnight.
With Thanksgiving travel just days away, members of Congress were already calling for hearings. Sunday morning shows diverted from talk about nuclear treaty negotiations to inquire about probing in sensitive areas of another kind. Even Saturday Night Live jumped in to the act with a racy, wikedly [sic] funny spoof that cast TSA agents as phone-sex operators.
http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/
Nov 22, 2010, 7:18 am
#247
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Charles Krauthammer's column on the op-ed page of today's Chicago Tribune:http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/o...4256269.column
Quote:
We pretend that we go through this nonsense as a small price paid to assure the safety of air travel. Rubbish. This has nothing to do with safety — 95 percent of these inspections, searches, shoe removals and pat-downs are ridiculously unnecessary. The only reason we continue to do this is that people are too cowed to even question the absurd taboo against profiling — when the profile of the airline attacker is narrow, concrete, uniquely definable and universally known. So instead of seeking out terrorists, we seek out tubes of gel in stroller pouches.
The junk man's revolt marks the point at which a docile public declares that it will tolerate only so much idiocy. Metal detector? Back-of-the-hand pat? OK. We will swallow hard and pretend airline attackers are randomly distributed in the population.
But now you insist on a full-body scan, a fairly accurate representation of my naked image to be viewed by a total stranger? Or alternatively, the full-body pat-down, which, as the junk man correctly noted, would be sexual assault if performed by anyone else?
This time you have gone too far, Big Bro'. The sleeping giant awakes. Take my shoes, remove my belt, waste my time and try my patience. But don't touch my junk.
Quote:
We pretend that we go through this nonsense as a small price paid to assure the safety of air travel. Rubbish. This has nothing to do with safety — 95 percent of these inspections, searches, shoe removals and pat-downs are ridiculously unnecessary. The only reason we continue to do this is that people are too cowed to even question the absurd taboo against profiling — when the profile of the airline attacker is narrow, concrete, uniquely definable and universally known. So instead of seeking out terrorists, we seek out tubes of gel in stroller pouches.
The junk man's revolt marks the point at which a docile public declares that it will tolerate only so much idiocy. Metal detector? Back-of-the-hand pat? OK. We will swallow hard and pretend airline attackers are randomly distributed in the population.
But now you insist on a full-body scan, a fairly accurate representation of my naked image to be viewed by a total stranger? Or alternatively, the full-body pat-down, which, as the junk man correctly noted, would be sexual assault if performed by anyone else?
This time you have gone too far, Big Bro'. The sleeping giant awakes. Take my shoes, remove my belt, waste my time and try my patience. But don't touch my junk.
Nov 22, 2010, 10:49 am
#248
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 449
Photos: How Your TSA Pat-Down Will Look On Opt-Out Day
This post from Gothamist is very anti-TSA.
http://gothamist.com/2010/11/22/phot...0Pic=4#gallery
http://gothamist.com/2010/11/22/phot...0Pic=4#gallery
On Wednesday an unknown number of travelers are expected to participate in National Opt-Out Day to protest the controversial full-body imaging scanners by requesting time-intensive pat-downs. WiIl it make pre-Thanksgiving travel even more of a nightmare? "Just one or two recalcitrant passengers at an airport is all it takes to cause huge delays," Paul Ruden, a spokesman for the American Society of Travel Agents, tells CBS 2. "It doesn’t take much to mess things up anyway—especially if someone purposely tries to mess it up." Speaking of messed up, these photos give you a detailed look at what awaits if you decide to forgo the porno scanner for the personalized groping.
Yesterday, Senator Chuck Schumer urged travelers to submit to the new invasive security theater at New York's airports. "If you’re going to travel you have to cooperate,” Schumer told reporters. "Our job is to make sure that if there’s a real public outcry, to make sure it’s readjusted." Chuck, we're pretty sure the public outcry is real. Also, is that really your job description? Shouldn't your job be to confirm that the security procedures are as effective as possible, regardless of their popularity?
Yesterday, Senator Chuck Schumer urged travelers to submit to the new invasive security theater at New York's airports. "If you’re going to travel you have to cooperate,” Schumer told reporters. "Our job is to make sure that if there’s a real public outcry, to make sure it’s readjusted." Chuck, we're pretty sure the public outcry is real. Also, is that really your job description? Shouldn't your job be to confirm that the security procedures are as effective as possible, regardless of their popularity?
Nov 22, 2010, 1:05 pm
#249
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Airport pat-down worse than going to a gynecologist
One of three different articles in the Toronto on-line paper today ... it is heating up north of the border!
http://www.thestar.com/news/world/ar...ecologist?bn=1
references the flight attendant breast cancer survivor, the hands-in-my-underpants traveller and the urostomy bag.
Interesting last couple of paragraphs ...
Interestingly - all comments are anti-TSA ... a change even from Friday when there were still some "anything for security" comments on other articles.
http://www.thestar.com/news/world/ar...ecologist?bn=1
references the flight attendant breast cancer survivor, the hands-in-my-underpants traveller and the urostomy bag.
Interesting last couple of paragraphs ...
Security agents, meanwhile, told an airline blogger how the pat-downs are destroying their morale.
“I want to tell these people that I feel disgusted feeling other peoples’ private parts,” one told Steven Frischling.
“I go home and cry,” said another. “I have been hardened by war, and in the past week I am slowly being broken down by the hateful comments.”
“I want to tell these people that I feel disgusted feeling other peoples’ private parts,” one told Steven Frischling.
“I go home and cry,” said another. “I have been hardened by war, and in the past week I am slowly being broken down by the hateful comments.”
Last edited by lostinthewash; Nov 22, 2010 at 1:07 pm Reason: added commenting
Nov 22, 2010, 1:13 pm
#250
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TSA agents upset public doesn't like fondling
TSA agents upset public doesn't like fondling
Warning - if you click that link there is a picture that will burn your retinas.
Originally Posted by Exerpt
One TSA official said that comments overheard at the airport ‘in my presence as I patted passengers down’ were ‘painful and demoralizing’ and says she doesn’t ‘know how much longer I can withstand this taunting. I go home and I cry.’ Okay. There is a simple solution to this, stop fondling the genitals of unwilling people. This isn’t rocket science.
Nov 22, 2010, 1:14 pm
#251
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TSA agents upset public doesn't like fondling
Warning - if you click that link there is a picture that will burn your retinas.
Warning - if you click that link there is a picture that will burn your retinas.
Nov 22, 2010, 1:25 pm
#252
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 629
Thanks. That is a really good article. I've noticed that well-spoken Libertarians really know how to get right to the heart of an issue.
I might also point out that most people wouldn't consider a job where you fondle people's genitals even when they do want it to be a particularly honorable one. It may be the oldest profession but it isn't exactly the most respected. TSA scanners have essentially become sex workers except the sexual contact is of course unwanted.
The one who goes home and cries says: “I am serving my country, I should not have to go home and cry after a day of honorably serving my country.” Apparently any act is justified if a government orders you to do it. Sorry lady, but there is no “honorable” way to fondle people’s genitals when they don’t want it.
Nov 22, 2010, 2:16 pm
#253
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video, not article, but...
"my problem with the whole approach of this intensive scrutiny, steven, is that it's dumb. it's not results oriented. it's political correctness...."
geraldo rivera, during an interview with steven slater, on fox news. (an "i feel dirty for watching that" trifecta, but another example of the media fanning the flames... i've been watching more fox the last week or two as this has taken hold.)
"my problem with the whole approach of this intensive scrutiny, steven, is that it's dumb. it's not results oriented. it's political correctness...."
geraldo rivera, during an interview with steven slater, on fox news. (an "i feel dirty for watching that" trifecta, but another example of the media fanning the flames... i've been watching more fox the last week or two as this has taken hold.)
Nov 22, 2010, 5:09 pm
#254
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http://www.glennbeck.com/content/art...cle/198/48455/ (Transcript)
Wow. That's The Huffington Post, folks. Not some utra-conservative voice. I am not an expert in US internal politics, but this seems to become very serious for POTUS. When Glenn Beck and William S. Lerach start speaking the same language, IMHO it's really time for POTUS to listen carefully and act quickly.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/willia...rm=Daily+Brief
William S. Lerach, Lecturer, Writer and Investor advocate
Posted: November 21, 2010 09:50 PM
President Obama: Stop the Searches or I'm Voting Against You
It's time for Americans, regardless of political affiliation or philosophy, to stand up for themselves and demand that the overly intrusive -- likely unconstitutional -- enhanced "pat down" searches at airport security checkpoints stop.
The stories of outrageous searches of young boys, the humiliation of cancer victims and constant mistreatment of law-abiding American citizens by uncaring TSA employees mindlessly administering policies dictated by Washington DC bureaucrats are piling up. Every day millions of Americans who are exercising their constitutionally guaranteed right to travel are forced to choose between submitting to an x-ray machine which displays their sexual organs and exposes them to radiation of unknown health consequences, or having a stranger search them as if they were a common criminal--a search involving having hands put on their "junk", put down their pants or up their skirts or under their blouses. Some choice. (See more at the URL above)
Wow. That's The Huffington Post, folks. Not some utra-conservative voice. I am not an expert in US internal politics, but this seems to become very serious for POTUS. When Glenn Beck and William S. Lerach start speaking the same language, IMHO it's really time for POTUS to listen carefully and act quickly.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/willia...rm=Daily+Brief
William S. Lerach, Lecturer, Writer and Investor advocate
Posted: November 21, 2010 09:50 PM
President Obama: Stop the Searches or I'm Voting Against You
It's time for Americans, regardless of political affiliation or philosophy, to stand up for themselves and demand that the overly intrusive -- likely unconstitutional -- enhanced "pat down" searches at airport security checkpoints stop.
The stories of outrageous searches of young boys, the humiliation of cancer victims and constant mistreatment of law-abiding American citizens by uncaring TSA employees mindlessly administering policies dictated by Washington DC bureaucrats are piling up. Every day millions of Americans who are exercising their constitutionally guaranteed right to travel are forced to choose between submitting to an x-ray machine which displays their sexual organs and exposes them to radiation of unknown health consequences, or having a stranger search them as if they were a common criminal--a search involving having hands put on their "junk", put down their pants or up their skirts or under their blouses. Some choice. (See more at the URL above)
Last edited by Kiwi Flyer; Nov 25, 2010 at 9:06 pm Reason: merge consecutive posts
Nov 22, 2010, 9:57 pm
#255
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Interestingly, I feel the same way. While my overall opinion of Obama remains favorable, watching him mindlessly rubber stamp the TSA's groping policies left a bad taste in my mouth.
BTW, I've had some gems of arguments with family members (none of whom have experienced an "enhanced" search, mind you) about the underlying issues during the course of the past several days.
I received my first special search in Boston about 10 days ago when I refused to use the NOS. Prior to that, I had also been under the impression that the many of the internet stories were overly sensationalistic. Some of them are -- for sure -- but, "until [they] encounter resistance," is as advertised.
BTW, I've had some gems of arguments with family members (none of whom have experienced an "enhanced" search, mind you) about the underlying issues during the course of the past several days.
I received my first special search in Boston about 10 days ago when I refused to use the NOS. Prior to that, I had also been under the impression that the many of the internet stories were overly sensationalistic. Some of them are -- for sure -- but, "until [they] encounter resistance," is as advertised.